Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1512. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the current grant aid ceiling for the pigmeat sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24690/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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These payments were the final tranche under the package agreed at EU level in September of last year, which allocated €0.5m for the pig sector for Ireland. The Government subsequently matched this funding to provide an overall aid package of €1 m. Applications were invited with a closing date of March 2016. Payments of €3,300 issued to all eligible pig farmers by the end of June 2016.

Eligible beneficiaries for the scheme were defined as current pig herd owners who produced a minimum of 200 pigs in 2015. The minimum level of supply and the requirement to have supplied in 2015 ensured that the payment went to existing pig farmers only and ensured that the payment is directed to those farmers most affected by the price volatility, thus meeting the requirements of the EU Regulations providing the funding.

Additional payments were made to Bord Bia (€82,000) to support activities promoting pork and to the Irish Pig Society (€60,000) to assist them in their work supporting small producers.

The funding for this scheme has now been used in full and no further payments or budget allocations are envisaged.